Currently, there are new systems in the world like the American, Canadian, Irish, Jordanian, Indian, Malaysian, Maltese, Sri Lankan, Singaporean, Hong Kong and Australian; but all of them are based on the new British system.
Most countries adopted to make a distinction with a Bachelor’s degree being differentiated by either a Pass Degree or an Honours Degree. In both cases, they need an extra year of study or/and a higher academic standard grade.
Following we provide you a list with these differences, in case you decide to study anywhere but home.
SOUTH AFRICA:
- Countries: Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
- Honours Degree includes an individual project course.
- Plus, different projects carried out by each student
CANADA:
- The system depends on the provinces.
- There are both, Pass Degrees and Honours Degrees.
- Pass degree takes 3 years of study.
- Honours degree takes 4 years of study.
- Most Canadian universities grant 4 years exclusively.
- Bachelor’s degree requires full year credits, one or more majors (specialist program) and a minimum grade point average.
ENGLAND, WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND:
- Bachelor’s degrees designations are related to the broad subject area.
- Most are now honours degrees.
- First degree courses take 2 years if the student has done foundation degrees or has being piloted by several newer universities.
- Honours degree class is divided in four classes: Top students are awarded a first class degree. Next best are awarded a second class degree. Next lowers second class degree are awarded a third class degree. Rest students (ordinary degrees) are unclassified degree who might be awarded either a third class degree if the student completes the full honours degree or if the average of the 300 CATS points is 70%+.
- Any student may be denied honours if he/she has had to retake courses.
- Ordinary degrees system depends on the university attended and the subject being studied.
- Some universities allow Ordinary degree students to be transferred to an Honours degree if the student reaches an acceptable standard after the first or second year of study.
SCOTLAND:
- Universities: St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
- Honours degree takes 4 years: 2 years studying a variety of different subjects, plus two years studying one subject in depth; and a dissertation in the final year.
- Designated degree takes 3 years: 2 years studying a variety of different subjects, plus one year studying less depth and wider variety of subjects.
UNITED STATES:
- Most American universities award cum laude 'with honour/praise,' magna cum laude 'with great honour/praise,' maxima cum laude 'with maximal honour/praise and summa cum laude 'with highest honour/praise.'
- Basic requirements are minimum GPA and the highest for the summa distinction.
- Few schools require a senior thesis for some degrees.
- According to the organization, basically a Bachelor’s degree requires four years of full-time study. However, some programs take five, and usually with the help of summer school it can be completed as little as three years.
- There are two programs known as Honours and Scholars, and both are based on GPA, but the difference is on the notation in cursu honorum on the transcript and the diploma.
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